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‘Trinamool chor’: Day after TMC MLA Jiban Krishna Saha’s arrest, BJP claims he’s ‘collector’ for top leaders

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari directly implicated West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, calling her a ‘thief’ and stating that the entire system is corrupt.

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress MLA Jiban Krishna Saha at Bankshall Court after being arrested by ED in alleged irregularities in the hiring of teachers and staffers in schools, in Kolkata, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. (PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist Lav)(PTI08_25_2025_000323A)

Trinamool Congress MLA Jiban Krishna Saha at Bankshall Court after being arrested by ED in alleged irregularities in the hiring of teachers and staffers in schools, in Kolkata, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. (PTI File Photo)

A day after the Enforcement Directorate arrested Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Jiban Krishna Saha after he tried to escape by jumping the boundary wall of his house and throwing his mobile phone into the bushes, the Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, on Tuesday attacked the party and its leadership.

At a press conference, Adhikari called Saha a “Trinamool chor (thief)” and accused him of being one of “hundreds of collectors” allegedly collecting huge sums of money for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s nephew, Abhishek Banerjee.

“He jumped into the mud. If it were a political conspiracy, he should have opened the door to the ED and said, ‘Let us go…where will you take me? Why did he try to escape? Earlier, he had jumped into a pond, and now he jumped into a canal,” Adhikari said.

Saha was arrested from his residence in the Burwan block of Murshidabad district on Monday following a raid of nearly five hours in connection with the investigation into the School Service Commission (SSC) recruitment scam.

“He is not Jiban Krishna Saha; he is Trinamool Chor. He took the money and deposited it with Bhaipo (referring to Abhishek). He is one of the collectors. Bengal has hundreds of such collectors, including Sujoy Krishna Bhadra,” he added.

Adhikari claimed that these individuals cheated unemployed youth out of thousands of crores of rupees, with all the money ultimately being deposited with top TMC leaders. He also directly implicated Mamata Banerjee, calling her a “thief” and stating that the entire system is corrupt.

“This government is full of thieves. It is not about individuals like Jiban Krishna Saha or Partha Chatterjee. The whole system is chor. Against this corrupt system, bring the BJP to power, and the state would not require a central agency. Legally, we will finish them. We promise to change the entire corrupt system if the BJP comes to power. Every year, there will be SSC. Trust the BJP,” Adhikari said.

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Adhikari also referenced the post-poll violence cases being investigated by the CBI, stating that as a result, 400 people are currently in jail.

The focus of the ED’s investigation is now on the data contained within Saha’s mobile phones. The agency has recovered the devices, which Saha had attempted to destroy, and is hoping to uncover information related to the money trail and the individuals involved.

The central agency’s probes, which have led to a series of arrests including former minister Partha Chatterjee and TMC MLA Manik Bhattacharya, are centred on financial transactions and money laundering.

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More

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